Become Part of the Solution, Not the Problem

Almira Kusuma

Scientists believe that we have a little over a decade to act on climate change before all the damage we’ve done in the past is irreversible. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report stating that if we don’t limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius or 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2040, the consequences will be planted in the natural systems of the planet. These consequences include droughts, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and even famine. To avoid this, we’ll need to reduce global carbon emissions by as much as 40% by 2030.

The greenhouse effect, as well as many other factors, play a huge role on climate change or global warming. The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat radiating from Earth toward space, which warms the planet’s surface. Certain gases like, methane and carbon dioxide, block heat from escaping and some are even forcing climate change because they don’t physically or chemically respond to changes in the temperature. Humans have increased the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels, land use changes, and deforestation. To help reverse these effects we need to use renewable energy, drive less and drive smart, use non-toxic household products, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, and many more.

Another big topic to discuss is pollution, mainly air and plastic. As defined by National Geographic, air pollution is, “a mix of particles and gases that can reach harmful concentrations both outside and indoors.” There are two categories of air pollution, outside and indoor. Examples of outside air pollutants are fine particles produced by the burning of fossil fuels, noxious gases, and ground-level ozone. Examples of indoor air pollutants are household products and chemicals, mold and pollen, radon, and cigarette smoke. Gases released from factories and certain human activities cause air pollution, which can be directly linked to climate change. Because of the increase in poor air quality, more and more people’s health are at risk. This can result in health effects like respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy, and even death. In 2016, an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide were caused by air pollution. China, the most polluted country in the world, is trying to clean up their air by closing coal-fire powered plants. Conserving energy is the most important thing you can do to help reduce air pollution.

The biggest problem we have in our oceans right now is plastic pollution. Plastic pollution not only affects marine life, but human lives as well. We produce about 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. Most plastics are non-biodegradable which means that they can’t be broken down and if they can it will take at least a thousand years to decompose. Million tonnes of debris end up in our oceans every year and the majority of them are plastic waste. Many marine animals such as turtles and seabirds have found themselves entangled in fishing gear and many mistaken plastic for food which can eventually lead to their deaths. By 2018, microplastics have been found in the organs of 114 aquatic species. Small zooplankton that ingest plastic and then are eaten by larger fish can cause a huge problem for people who enjoy eating fish. The plastic will gradually go up through the food chain until it reaches, well, you. Because plastic takes years to decompose, you’re essentially eating the plastic that the plankton ate. To continue, let’s talk about single use plastics. Plastic straws, water bottles, and plastic bags are just a few examples of single use plastics. Yes, they are convenient, but they are also toxic for the environment and the organisms living in them. There are many ways that you can help reduce plastic pollution. Small things like switching out your water bottle for a reusable one, using reusable grocery bags instead of plastic bags, avoiding using plastic straws and utensils, and the most common one, recycling.

Lastly, the closest to my heart, the importance of protecting endangered species. Healthy ecosystems all around the world depend on the animals and plants living there. When a species has become endangered, it is a sign of the ecosystem slowly failing. Take elephants for example, like a few other animals they are a keystone species. Keystone species are species that the ecosystem largely depends on. Elephants control the tree and grass populations, without them its habitat and the whole food chain could be destroyed. Unfortunately, African elephants along with rhinos, giraffes, lions, and many others are endangered. Why? The answer, poaching and habitat loss.

Both poaching and habitat loss are the main reasons why many species have become endangered. Thousands of species worldwide are being poached and captured leading them slowly into endangerment or extinction. Even with laws set out, many people still poach illegally. These animals are killed for their tusks, fur or skin, pelt, and bones for people to sell for large sums of money. Rhino horns are believed to cure hangovers, fevers, cancer, and impotence, but all are disproven. Elephant tusks are carved into jewelry, utensils, trinkets, and religious figurines. But all of this is not worth the life of an elephant or a rhino. Many even go as far as trafficking baby gorillas and selling them for thousands of dollars. In addition, with the growing human population, we have destroyed many habitats that were home to many different animals. This leaves them with absolutely no food or shelter. We share this planet with millions of unique, amazing creatures and we as humans have the responsibility to learn how to protect and conserve them so that future generations will be able to experience them the way we did.

Environmental protection is something that we all need to start taking seriously. Many people still don’t believe that climate change is a real thing, but look around you, open your eyes. There are thousands of people and places that have already been affected by this. Rising sea levels could submerge a whole island in just a few years, rainforests will be destroyed, natural disasters will become even more disastrous. This planet is our only home and we need to take care of it or no one else will. Become part of the solution, not the problem.